Don Gilmet, Republican, is seeking the position upon retiring from his current role as city building official. He faces independent Mark Hunter, who wishes to step into the role to carry on a family tradition of public service and government involvement.

The election is Nov. 3.

Gilmet’s city job has trained him to work within a budget, using it as a guide and adjusting it as needed to reflect reality, he said.

Government leaders have to prioritize, he said — first fulfilling promises made to county workers regarding health care and retirement, and then maintaining the buildings and mandated functions of government.

Mark Hunter

To address the current financial status of the county — which, he said, is not cause for alarm but for measured response — Gilmet suggested looking for ways for employees and departments to eliminate unnecessary procedures and bring down expenses.

Gilmet feels he’d be an asset to the county, offering problem-solving and critical-thinking skills along with a military background. His strategy, always, is to look two years ahead to what problems may come. From there, Gilmet said, a leader with vision can work backward and stop those problems from happening in the first place.

As a commissioner, Hunter would prioritize supporting new businesses and potential investors considering moving to Alpena.

The county has trimmed its budget for over 10 years, Hunter said, and it’s getting hard to find places to cut. He can’t suggest a fix without a thorough review of the budget’s details, Hunter said, but suggested that, where current services are inadequate, voters should be offered a chance to pay for needed changes via a property tax.

Given the county’s finances, Hunter suggests a cautious approach, not adding programs or services but ensuring that the county can maintain what it currently provides.

A veteran of many occupations, from photographer to funeral home worker to attorney, Hunter said he would bring to the commission a lifetime of experience in learning new things — a trait he said would serve the county well if he is elected.

Donald Gilmet

AGE: 63

RESIDENCE:

Alpena

OCCUPATION:

City building official

ELECTED EXPERIENCE: None

FAMILY:

Married, six children

Mark Hunter

AGE: Would not say

RESIDENCE:

Alpena

OCCUPATION:

Attorney

ELECTED EXPERIENCE: None

FAMILY: Single